summary: The authors report the results of a 12-month, double-blind clinical trial, where the efficacy of oral fingolimod relative to intramuscular interferon beta-1a (IFNb-1a, Avonex®) in people with relapsing-remitting MS was investigated. Oral fingolimod treatment was superior to intramuscular IFNb-1a in terms of relapse rate and MRI outcomes. However, two fatal infections occurred in the group of people who received fingolimod. Therefore, longer studies are needed to assess the safety and efficacy of treatment beyond one year.

authors: Cohen JA, Barkhof F, Comi G, Hartung HP, Khatri BO, Montalban X, Pelletier J, Capra R, Gallo P, Izquierdo G, Tiel-Wilck K, de Vera A, Jin J, Stites T, Wu S, Aradhye S, Kappos L; the TRANSFORMS Study Group.

source: N Engl J Med. 2010 Jan 20

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